Miami Police Veteran Gets Hollywood Post

HOLLYWOOD — A 26-year veteran of the Miami Police Department was named the city`s next chief of police Monday by City Manager James Chandler, who rejected the application of Assistant Chief LeRoy Hessler.

``I see Hollywood as a city with a sense of community and a sense of neighborhood that currently does not exist anywhere in Dade County,`` said Witt, 49. ``It has maintained its traditions and it has maintained its sense of self.``

Hessler, Martin`s handpicked successor and the favorite candidate of numerous civic leaders and many police officers, said he was disappointed.

``I`m not (feeling) too good,`` said Hessler, who holds the rank of captain. ``Hopefully, the transition will go smoothly. As a department, we`ll just keep going forward.``

Witt has offered to keep Hessler as assistant chief, but Hessler said he is unsure if he wants the post or would prefer another position within the department.

Chandler called the appointment the ``most difficult and most important`` of his nine years with the city. He said Hessler was qualified, but added that Witt was more qualified.

``In all my interviews, the one thing that kept coming back was his ability to get things done, his ability to motivate people and his reputation as a problem-solver,`` Chandler said. ``On top of that, he has a strong record as an administrator and he`s able to communicate with people.``

As chief, Witt will oversee 438 employees and a $20 million annual budget. He will earn $52,867 a year.

About 130 people from across the country applied for the job. Witt and Hessler were two of seven finalists interviewed by Chandler.

Hessler, a 25-year veteran of the Hollywood department and Martin`s only assistant, had vocal support from a wide segment of officials, including Mayor David Keating, City Commissioner Cathleen Anderson, defense attorney Joe Varon, Diplomat Hotel President Irving Cowan and Hollywood Inc. Vice President David Horvitz.

Commissioners John Williams, Sue Gunzburger and Stanley Goldman encouraged Chandler to look outside the department. They have said the department has suffered under criticism of cronyism and a lack of professionalism under Martin`s and Hessler`s administration.

``Hopefully, there will be some more professionalism in the administration, which I feel has been lacking in the past,`` Williams said.

Witt, a native of Dade, began his police career in December 1959, when he graduated first in a class of 25 at the Miami Police Academy.

During his tenure, he served as commander of community relations, project manager of robbery control, homicide unit commander, director of training, commander of administration and commander of the detective division.